Chapter: 54

"No, I've been an orphan for as long as I can remember. According to what they told me, they died the day I was born." The blonde poked the embers, stirring the fire as he spoke without hesitation.

"I'm sorry..." Katara quickly offered her condolences, but the boy simply responded with a calm smile. "Our father left for the war a long time ago, and I lost my mother many years ago." Her gaze fell to the ground, recognizing the sensitivity of the topic, even though years had passed. However, she looked up when a reassuring hand rested on her shoulder.

"I'm sure your father is fine, and your mother, wherever she is, wouldn't want to see you so sad. You should smile... like this!" Flashing her best smile, she succeeded in making the girl laugh. Eventually, the smiles spread to all four of them, and after a few minutes, they returned to silence.

"This war has taken a lot from us. I can't wait to defeat the Fire Nation and for it all to be over," Sokka spoke up, tightening his grip on the handle of his boomerang.

"That's how it will be," the monk agreed, echoing Sokka's sentiment.

"I wish there was a better solution," Naruto mused, drawing the group's attention. His eyes held a hint of sadness. "A better solution than just defeating the Fire Nation."

"What are you talking about?"

"Peace."

"Well..." Aang was puzzled by Naruto's talk of a 'better solution.' "If we defeat the Fire Nation, balance will be restored, and each nation can live in peace in their respective homes."

"That's the problem." Naruto scratched his neck, showing his uncertainty, earning strange looks from his friends. "Once the war is over, everyone will revert to their old ways until the next war begins..."

"What do you mean?" Sokka questioned, just as puzzled as his sister and the monk.

"Why does it have to be like this? Why do they have to be so divided? Why not bring together the best of each place and... form something bigger than the four elemental lands?" Naruto pondered aloud, his voice filled with genuine curiosity.

"Because that's not how it works," Aang replied with a serious tone, feeling the need to address Naruto's idea. "Things have always been this way, and if we try to change it... Who knows how much damage there could be?"

Sokka chimed in, his voice carrying a hint of cynicism. "He's right. After being at war for almost a hundred years, you can't expect everyone to suddenly want to live in the same place as the Fire Nation. They've already caused too much damage."

Naruto furrowed his brow, determined to defend his point. "Not all of the Fire Nation wants this. I know it's a war, and I know it'll only end when one side is destroyed, but..." He trailed off, his gaze fixated on the dancing flames. "Will everything always be like this? A cycle of hatred where all of you will despise those from the Fire Nation, and if, in a few years, the Earth Kingdom makes the same decision that the Fire Nation made with the Air Nomads?"

Katara, sensing the conversation taking a dangerous turn, tried to intervene. "Naruto..."

But Aang, with unwavering determination, responded, "I won't let that happen." He pointed to himself, believing in his destiny.

"What if you fail?" Naruto's question hung in the air, a heavy silence descending. The embers flickered, casting shadows on their faces. In that moment, illuminated by the fire's glow, the two children locked eyes, each wrestling with their own emotions.

"Will the world always have to depend on you? Will they never find a solution without you?" Naruto's frustration grew as he sensed that Aang believed everything hinged on him, as if the fate of the world rested solely on his shoulders. It felt unfair, as if Aang believed his destiny was set in stone, a sentiment Naruto disliked whenever people assumed they were destined for greatness just because they were different.

"That's the Avatar's job," Aang replied with a frown, meeting Naruto's unwavering gaze with determination of his own.

Naruto's expression remained resolute. "And no one else can do it? Can't a child who's lost everything because of this war stand up and seek to end it? Can't a mother who's lost her children on the battlefield try to put an end to these senseless battles?" He paused, the weight of his words sinking in. "We can all stand up... we can all say 'enough is enough'..."

Sokka and Katara exchanged concerned glances as tension filled the air. The question lingered: Did Naruto intend to kill the Fire Lord?

"No, I don't want to kill the Fire Lord," Naruto clarified, his tone softer. "I want the war to end. Amidst all these shattered lives, I just want it to come to an end, to start something new and secure peace."

The minutes ticked by in heavy silence, so palpable it could be cut with a knife. Finally, Naruto broke it by turning away and settling into his sleeping bag. "Tomorrow will be another day. Good night."

The Water Tribe siblings exchanged a wordless glance and followed suit, leaving Aang alone by the fire. His gaze, vacant, stared into the flames, unaware that his eyes had a momentary white flash. Exhausted, he eventually succumbed to sleep.

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